Maj. Roland Joseph Gregory Tolar (Ret. USAF)

Ro (Major Roland Joseph Gregory Tolar, Ret., USAF) was born on November 22, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois and passed away Saturday, March 20th at Baylor Scott and White Hospital, Marble Falls. He was 89 youthful years old.

Ro graduated from Austin High School, Chicago in 1948 and a was graduate of Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.

Ro had an exemplary career in the United States Air Force and proudly served his country for 20 years. He was commissioned in 1954 through the Aviation Cadet Program, holding the aeronautical rating of Master Navigator.

Ro received the US Air Force Commendation Medal at Barksdale AFB for meritorious service as a KC 135 aircraft navigator and instructor navigator at KI Sawyer Air Force Base, was an Intelligence Officer for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which provided aerospace warning, air sovereignty, and protection for Northern America.

He served in the Korean War and served a year of duty in Vietnam. Ro was a Member of the 25th Air Division Headquarter staff at McChord Air Force Base, where he retired from the USAF in 1974.

During Ro’s service in the military, he met and married Twyla Faye Carlson Tolar, the love of his life. They were married for 53 incredible years and raised three fabulous children Scott, Mark and Kimberly.

Ro and Twy traveled the world, took 26 cruises, but always loved coming back to their beloved Horseshoe Bay, Texas. They were some of the original pioneers of Horseshoe Bay, in fact, Ro just completed an interview that will be published soon about the history of Horseshoe Bay.

Ro and Twy built their home in Horseshoe Bay in 1976 and loved the Hill Country, the bluebonnets, the deer, the lake, the tranquility, and the amazing friends that they met over 45 years.

Ro was a tennis enthusiast! He played with his cherished Mavericks (the tennis guys) for over 44 years! Ro would show up with a tennis racket in one hand, and his cane in the other hand. After several falls on the court, he had to give up his serve, but he was not about to give up the game.

About two years ago, due to balance reasons, he was forced to give up the game, but continued to attend the first Thursday of the month tennis luncheons to catch up with the tennis guys and gals. He was so bonded to those men and ladies and so looked forward to seeing and talking with his tennis friends.

He was also a devoted patron of the arts. Ro loved to attend plays at the Hill Country Community Theatre and in fact, worked there for 14 years doing lights, handed out programs, ushered - you name it, Ro did it for the love of the theatre. He was also a season ticket patron of the Fredericksburg Theatre, and after the matinee, he enjoyed eating schnitzel at his favorite German restaurant in Fredericksburg.

Ro was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Molly Tolar, his wife, Twyla Faye Carlson Tolar, his son, Scott Bradley Tolar and many relatives.

Ro lived an extraordinary life, loved laughter and life, and truly lived it to the fullest to the very last minute. Ro is survived by his son, Mark Gregory, wife Amy and grandsons Cory, wife Jessica, Chris, wife Lindsay all of Austin, daughter Kimberly Tolar Kizer, husband David of Austin and Horseshoe Bay, and granddaughters Shelby Sutton of Dallas and Meagan Kizer of Atlanta.

Visitation will be Palm Sunday, March 28 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at ClementsWilcox Funeral Home 1805 US Highway 281, Marble Falls.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 29 at 1 p.m. at The Church at Horseshoe Bay, 600 Hi Ridge Rd., Horseshoe Bay.

Graveside service with military honors will be held immediately following the funeral at Lakeland Hills Cemetery, located at Park Road 4, Burnet. All are welcome.

Mark, Kimberly, and their families would like to thank all of daddy’s friends for their love and support during this time. They would also like to express gratitude to the Horseshoe Bay Police, Fire and EMS Departments who went above and beyond the call of duty.

These men and women would conduct well checks when we could not reach dad via phone or what daddy fondly called our “spy cameras.” Thank you all for your devoted service to the Horseshoe Bay community and to our daddy.

To the emergency room personnel at Baylor Scott and White Hospital, thank you for your compassion and service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Condolences may be offered at clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.